Flight of the Conchords Special, Tuesday 9.30pm, BBC4
Posted by Will Parkhouse
Preview rating: 
Comedy songs: good or bad? If this is a question that troubles you, as it does me, Flight of the Conchords should shove you into the “good” camp pretty violently.
Describing themselves as “New Zealand’s fourth most popular folk parody duo”, Jemaine and Bret started their career performing a range of very silly but very funny songs, none of which seem to be linked to each other in any way (they range from surreal fables about racist dragons to ditties written from the point of view of robots), except by being very funny.
The pair have since been given their own 12-part series, which has just finished airing in the US, a (scripted) musical comedy about their attempts to break America. It’s Peep Show meets Curb Your Enthusiasm – with songs! – and starts on BBC4 next week.
Before it does, though, tonight, we get this excellent live set. It features FotC’s Barry White-style seduction song, ‘Business Time’, which includes lines like, “Next thing you know we’re in the bathroom, brushing our teeth - that’s all part of it, that’s foreplay. Then you go sort out the recycling - that’s not part of it, but it’s still very important.” There’s also some surprisingly proficient but utterly ridiculous rapping in ‘Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros’ - “Other rappers dis’ me / Say my rhymes are sissy / Wh-wh-wh-why? Why? / Be more constructive with your feedback.”
Prepare to laugh, hard.
I saw FOTC at Glastonbury a few years back - blew me away - I'm really chuffed they are on UK TV
Posted by: Chris | 25 September 2007 at 22:33
A few of my NZ mates had told me about these guys, and when I eventually got around to checking them out on YouTube I fell in love. Totally genuine, self-deprecating (in the Kiwi style) and endearing. It's subtle humour - watch for Jemaine's expressions. Can't wait!
Posted by: Scott | 20 September 2007 at 12:09
I watched this band about 5 years ago in New Zealand and have never laughed as much. The line 'keep folkin mother folkers' has always stuck with me. Remember them from the phones 4 u adverts as well. They should do well.
Posted by: Laura | 18 September 2007 at 19:38
I used to listen to the series on radio 2 its fantastic, i didn't know they have since taken it to TV. Definately one to watch
Posted by: chad | 18 September 2007 at 18:26
FOTC are brilliant, im happy the show is getting on british tv now. I finished watching the series last week and every episode is fantastic.
Posted by: M.beck | 18 September 2007 at 17:54